Pão de Queijo with Minas Cheese
Brazilian cheese bread made from tapioca flour and Minas cheese, offering a chewy, airy texture with cheesy flavor. This brazilian-inspired snacks (gluten free) ready in about 40 minutes turns tapioca flour, whole milk, vegetable oil into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 12, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups tapioca flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups Minas cheese or mozzarella, grated
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup vegetable oil. Heat over medium until just boiling, then remove from heat.
- Step 2: Place 2 cups tapioca flour in a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot milk and oil mixture over the tapioca flour and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth and slightly sticky.
- Step 3: Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes, then add 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 1/2 cups grated Minas cheese and 1 tsp salt until the dough is smooth and uniform.
- Step 5: Using wet hands, shape the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and puffed. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pão de Queijo with Minas Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pão de Queijo with Minas Cheese?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pão de Queijo with Minas Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pão de Queijo with Minas Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Pão de Queijo with Minas Cheese gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
